Hello Everyone,
Evelyn Here,
I have become a busy girl of late, so my posting the following new release is a few day late. I have heard the story on the regular news broadcasts off and on for a couple days now, but I think the police officers who were honored for their bravery and the outstanding performances of their duties is still very important, and that my posting this new release could never be to late.
So it is - a copy of the original new release from from the Office of the Attorney Gerenal, Bill McCollum.
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Bill McCollum
Attorney General
News Release
January 17, 2007
Attorney General Names 2006 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
TALLAHASSEE - Attorney General Bill McColllum today named Detective
Sergeant James R. Contento, of the Tampa Police Department, as the
recipient of the Attorney General's Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
award for 2006. Detective Contento was joined by 12 fellow officers from
around the state at a ceremony recognizing them for their dedication to law
enforcement and their protection of the public.
In naming Detective Contento as this year’s award recipient, McCollum
praised his reputation for building successful partnerships between the
Tampa police department and the public it serves. In response to juvenile
crimes committed at malls during the summer months, Detective Contento
coordinated a team of patrol officers including crime prevention,
undercover, bicycle and mounted patrol officers to work with mall managers
and retailers. As a result of this unified approach, the number of serious
offenses in targeted areas dropped more than 25 percent.
“Each of these men and women represents the very best from among the
53,000 outstanding men and women of Florida’s law enforcement community,”
McCollum said at today’s ceremony honoring the nominees. “We owe these
officers much more than just recognition. They deserve our heartfelt
gratitude and respect.”
Each nominee for the Attorney General’s award had previously been
recognized as an “Officer of the Year” by a Florida law enforcement agency
or organization that sponsors such a statewide award. Detective Contento
was nominated by virtue of his selection by the Florida Retail Federation.
A selection committee appointed by the Attorney General considered the
distinguished group of nominees from state agencies and organizations
including the Florida Sheriff’s Association, the Florida Police Chiefs
Association, the State Law Enforcement Chiefs Association, the Florida Gang
Investigators Association and the Florida Wildlife Federation.
Detective Sergeant Contento is the fourth recipient of the Attorney
General’s annual award. Last year’s recipient was Detective Kevin Kuschel
of the Palm Beach County School District Police Department. The recipient
in 2004 was Tallahassee Police Officer Chuck Perry, and Marion County
Deputy Sheriff Mike Rolls was honored as the first recipient of the award
in 2003.
Each nominee was presented a certificate of commendation from
Attorney General McCollum. Detective Contento was also presented a trophy
and an award in acknowledgment of his service.
* * *
A list of the other nominees and their accomplishments follows:
- Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud:
Lieutenant Michael Byrne
Lieutenant Byrne is recognized as a leader in the unique field of
insurance fraud investigation. In 2006, he submitted thirty cases for
prosecution which included sixteen arrests. His efforts have placed him in
the top 10 percent of insurance fraud detectives in Florida. Lieutenant
Byrne was the lead investigator in one of the largest staged accident rings
in Pinellas County history, involving over thirty individuals attempting a
fraud scam estimated to be over $300,000. Breaking the case was attributed
largely to Lieutenant Byrne’s expertise and investigative skills.
- State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations:
Detective John Esslinger
Detective Esslinger is a seasoned and respected investigator
currently serving in Broward County. In one year alone, he investigated 76
fires, 33 of which were determined to be caused by arson. Detective
Esslinger was a key investigator in a complicated Broward County arson case
recently, determining that a fire at a commercial dry cleaning business was
set by the owner and his son to collect on insurance claims. Last year he
produced an arson fire arrest rate 21 percent higher than the national
average.
- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the State
Law Enforcement Chiefs Association: Wildlife Officer Rick Francis
Officer Francis has served for three years as a wildlife officer in
Volusia County and has already developed a stellar reputation and superior
work ethic. One of his outstanding cases resulted in the arrest of five
suspects who were cutting and stealing high-voltage utility cable running
across a marsh in New Smyrna Beach, which constituted grand theft of
$100,000. In the past twelve months, Officer Francis has issued 241
citations and 1,151 warnings, demonstrating that he puts a high priority on
educating the public.
- The Florida Gang Investigators Association: Manatee County Deputy
Sheriff Thomas Frank
Deputy Frank was chosen as the 2006 Florida Gang Investigators
Association “Officer of the Year” because of to his dedication and
commitment to eradicating the gang problem. He devotes a significant amount
of personal, “off duty” time to helping other law enforcement agencies
develop enforcement and prevention strategies to accomplish this
overwhelming task. Currently assigned to Manatee County, Deputy Frank has
demonstrated a commitment to Florida’s youth by preventing young kids from
joining gangs and helping those who are already involved with gangs to get
out. The expertise he has developed in this unique field has resulted in a
marked suppression of gangs and gang related activity.
- The Florida Police Chiefs Association: Officer Richard Hackett
Officer Hackett joined the Tampa Airport Police Department in 2003
following a 28-year career in the United States Air Force. He was
instrumental in the effort to implement a Bicycle Patrol Squad to combat
vehicle-related crimes at the Airport, with the immediate impact of
reducing vehicle-related crimes in the parking garages by 60 percent.
Additionally, Officer Hackett showed great courage in June 2005 when he and
three other officers responded to a hostage situation in the parking
garage. After exiting his vehicle and shooting his victim, the heavily
armed suspect then directed his fire at the officers, but Officer Hackett
held his ground and advanced, ultimately saving his own life and the lives
of his fellow officers.
- The Florida Highway Patrol, Trooper of the Year: Troopers Jorge
Lopez-Torres and Carlos Austin
In May 2005, Troopers Lopez-Torres and Austin responded to a serious
vehicle crash that occurred in a remote section of the Sawgrass Expressway
in Broward County. They were advised that the two vehicles, a pickup truck
and a commercial motor vehicle, had a head-on collision and became
submerged in a canal. Although informed that there was no sign of life in
the commercial vehicle, both troopers dove into the murky canal waters.
They freed the unresponsive driver and brought him to the surface, where
they immediately began to administer CPR. Soon the victim began to breathe
on his own and local emergency services arrived. Troopers Lopez-Torres and
Austin placed themselves in great personal danger to save the life of this
victim.
- The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Special Agent of the Year:
Claudia Mulvey
Special Agent Mulvey is currently assigned to the Economic Crimes
Squad in FDLE’s Miami Regional Operations Center. She has demonstrated
superior investigative efforts and has contributed significantly to solving
hard cases, including a case that involved interstate embezzlement of more
than $2 million from an aviation company by its management. Her persistence
in following up on leads and completing interviews as well as her ability
to make a difficult financial case “comprehensible” resulted in this case’s
prosecution by a United States Attorney.
- The Florida Wildlife Federation: Lieutenant Charles “Chuck” Russo
Lieutenant Russo, assigned to Palm Beach County, is well-known for
blending a commitment to enforce the law with fairness and understanding.
He is responsible for two very large Wildlife Management Areas on the
Southeast coast and supervises up to 30 officers, who act as a focal point
of fish and wildlife protection as well as the guardians of countless
recreational users in our woods and on our waters. His relationship with
the users of public lands is built on trust and respect and he is tireless
and undaunted in his efforts to help preserve Florida’s natural resources.
- The Florida State Fraternal Order of Police: Detective Gustavo
Sanchez
In June 2005, Miami Detective Sanchez reported to an off-duty job
ahead of schedule and began to patrol the nearby area. The dispatcher
advised him that there were swimmers in distress at a nearby Miami beach
and he immediately responded. From the shore, he could see one of two young
women struggling in heavy surf. Detective Sanchez swam approximately 75
yards out to the woman and brought her to shore against the heavy rip tide,
high winds and waves. As lifeguards and other rescue personnel arrived,
Detective Sanchez directed them to the area where the other woman was last
seen, but unfortunately she could not be rescued. Detective Sanchez put his
own life in peril to save the young woman, who could have perished without
his assistance.
- The Florida Department of Transportation, Motor Carrier Compliance
Office: Sergeant Steven Sharpton
Sergeant Sharpton, a resourceful law enforcement officer with a
history of sustained superior performance, supervises sworn officers and
non-sworn weight inspectors at the scale facility located on Interstate 10
in Santa Rosa County. Last October, while on duty at the scale facility, he
was alerted to an emergency involving a driver who was pinned underneath a
semi-trailer. Sergeant Sharpton and two weight inspectors rigged a
makeshift jack and were able to raise the trailer just enough to free the
driver. Sergeant Sharpton’s quick response and innovative thinking saved
the life of the driver.
- The Florida Sheriffs Association, Deputy Sheriff Of the Year: Madison
County Deputy Sheriff John Sleigher
Deputy Sleigher was named Deputy Sheriff of the Year following his
actions that saved the life of a woman who was the victim of a violent
domestic attack. In October 2005, Deputy Sleigher was dispatched to a rural
home where he was informed that a man was inside, holding a knife to a his
girlfriend’s throat. Deputy Sleigher drew his weapon and entered the home,
where he observed a man holding a woman on the floor with an 8-inch blade
pressed against the side of her neck. Deputy Sleigher ordered the man to
drop the knife, but the suspect held the knife closer and indicated he
planned to kill the woman. Deputy Sleigher advanced, and as the man raised
his arm as if to stab the woman, Sleigher fired two rounds into the
suspect’s right side. He then lunged forward, grabbing the suspect’s arm
and firing again while freeing the woman from her attacker. Although
terrified from the ordeal, the victim was not physically injured. Deputy
Sleigher’s actions clearly saved the woman from serious injury or death.
- Department of Environmental Protection: Officer Byron Smith
Currently stationed in Orlando, Officer Smith demonstrates a rare
combination of occupational knowledge, initiative and maturity. On one
occasion, he conducted a late night search for an elderly couple in a swamp
where their canoe had capsized. Upon finding the couple, Officer Smith gave
his boots to the woman since she had lost her shoes in the river. Barefoot,
he then successfully led the couple to safety through thick saw palmettos
and swamp. Additionally, his aggressive patrol techniques have resulted in
multiple arrests for felony drug possession, artifact theft and poaching.
His positive attitude, example, instruction and mentoring activities raise
the standards of his fellow officers, making Officer Smith a true asset to
the Department of Environmental Protection.
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I extend my congratulation to each of the above named officers who in the service of their duties have selflessly risked their lives to saved and protected ordinary people like me.
Evelyn
